I. William Drought III, a distinguished partner at Oliver Maner LLP, one of Savannah’s oldest and most respected law firms, has been honored with the prestigious National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (NOESA). This highly selective national accolade celebrates Eagle Scouts who have demonstrated exceptional career achievements and a profound commitment to community service. 

Established in 2010 during the Boy Scouts of America's 100th anniversary, the NOESA recognizes Eagle Scouts who have achieved excellence professionally at local, regional, or national levels, along with a sustained commitment to service. Drought received the award in recognition of his significant legal achievements and his dedicated, ongoing volunteer work with the Coastal Georgia Council.

"I am deeply honored to receive this award from an institution that profoundly shaped me from a young age," Drought said. "I attribute much of my career success to the values instilled by Scouting and am grateful for the unwavering support of my colleagues at Oliver Maner for my volunteer work with the Coastal Georgia Council of Scouting America."

"William Drought embodies the very best of Oliver Maner's commitment to both legal excellence and community leadership," said Patrick T. O’Connor, Managing Partner at Oliver Maner. "His dedication to the Coastal Georgia Council and his distinguished legal career makes him truly deserving of this national recognition."

Beyond his distinguished legal career, Drought is a dedicated leader within the Coastal Georgia Council, serving on its Executive Board and as the Council’s lawyer. He actively contributes to the success of the Council’s Annual Golf Tournament and Annual Sporting Clays Tournament committees.

 At Oliver Maner LLP, Mr. Drought focuses his practice on complex business disputes, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and high-stakes litigation. He earned his J.D. summa cum laude from Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law, and his B.B.A. summa cum laude from the University of Georgia. 

Drought’s professional accolades include being recognized as a Georgia Rising Star in “Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense” by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters professional ratings service, and on the 2020 list of “Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch” by Best Lawyers.